Health insurance

What is health insurance?

Health insurance is an insurance policy that covers the costs of private healthcare, from diagnosis to treatment. You will pay a monthly subscription that covers all or some of the cost of treatment for conditions that develop after your health insurance policy has begun.

You may take out private health insurance because it gives you quick access to medical treatment. The level of cover you get will depend on the policy you take out. We have two different levels of private health insurance cover: Treatment and Care, and Comprehensive.

If you (and/or your dependants) are a professional sportsperson, or a semi-professional sportsperson and sport is a secondary income (including bursaries and/or expenses), please call us to discuss your options further on 0800 289 577 ^.

For fast access to treatment

We want to make sure you can get the help you need as quickly as possible. That’s why we can give you fast access to treatment with our health insurance.

If you’re worried it’s cancer, you can speak to us directly without seeing your GP first. Depending on your health insurance cover and the nature of your symptoms, we could even refer you to a consultant there and then†. So you could soon be back to doing the things you love, with those you love.

Treatment and care

Our health insurance benefits

For detecting cancer as early as possible

Evidence suggests that acting quickly when you first notice a symptom of cancer can make a real difference in beating it. That’s why if you’re worried you may have symptoms of cancer, you can call us directly without speaking to your GP first†.

Depending on your health insurance cover and the nature of your symptoms, we could even refer you to a consultant there and then.

For breakthrough drugs and treatment within your reach

You’ll have access to any cancer drug in the UK that’s licensed for your condition, even if it isn’t NICE approved or available on the NHS‡. We also employ medical experts to evaluate trial drugs that aren’t yet licensed and can approve them for use often within 24 hours.

For going further than funding treatment

Whether it’s your child being sick in the night or a pain that’s worrying you, whenever you need health advice you can rely on, you can call our Anytime HealthLine 24/7 to speak directly to qualified nurses and doctors.

For getting the help you need faster

We’re here to help you deal with health issues big and small, sooner rather than later. From reassuring advice following diagnosis, the very moment you need it, to an eligible diagnostic scan which we’d aim to do within two days, we act quickly, so you can move forward faster.

You can call us for direct access to advice and treatment for muscle, bone or joint problems, mental health, cancer or cataracts from the moment you need it – usually without the need to see a GP first†. Our dedicated team of trained advisers will be able to give you clear advice on what to do next.

For fast help with muscle, bone and joint problems

You rely on your body for every move you make, so any issues need to be sorted as quickly as possible. If you call us with a problem, our physiotherapists can give you advice on managing your pain and a specialist referral if you need one, usually without the need for a GP appointment†.

For healthcare that rewards you

As well as money off things that can help you stay healthy, like food shopping and gym memberships, we sometimes offer little rewards just to make you smile – like free coffee for you and a friend. Because your health insurance should keep you happy as well as healthy. Terms and conditions apply.

Your hospital network

Medical history

If you decide to take out health insurance with us, we’ll need to know about any pre-existing conditions you may have. This won’t affect the price of your quote, however we won’t cover any pre-existing conditions. You don’t need to provide your medical history before buying cover, we’ll send you a form to complete in your welcome pack.

Policy summary

Understand how our health insurance works and what you could be covered for.

Health insurance covers treatment for acute conditions that develop after your policy has started. An acute condition is a disease, illness or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment which aims to return you to the state of health you were in before suffering the condition, or which leads to your full recovery.

How do I compare different health insurance covers, and decide which one is right for me?

To help you decide which cover will be right for you, as a starting point, think about your lifestyle, budget and the areas of your life that concern you the most. Comprehensive covers medical costs from diagnosis and treatment to aftercare.
If you choose Comprehensive and full cancer cover, it includes diagnosis, eligible treatment and aftercare.

If you choose Comprehensive and full cancer cover, it includes diagnosis, eligible treatment and aftercare. Alternatively if you choose NHS Cancer Cover Plus, cover is only available if the radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgical operation you need to treat your cancer is not available under the NHS.

Treatment and care covers eligible treatment and following this, any consultations, diagnostic tests and scans that are needed after you have received your treatment.

If you’d like to speak to us about health insurance call 0808 159 2103^ and we can talk you through some suitable options. Alternatively you can get a quote online now.

If you want to learn more about health insurance and how it works, take a look over our health insurance guide.

Which Bupa core health insurance option is right for me?

As a starting point, think about your lifestyle, budget and the areas of your health that concern you the most. Comprehensive covers medical costs from diagnosis to eligible treatment.

If you choose Comprehensive and full cancer cover, it includes diagnosis and eligible treatment. Alternatively if you choose NHS Cancer Cover Plus, cover is only available if the radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgical operation you need to treat your cancer is not available under the NHS.

Treatment and care covers eligible treatment and following this, any consultations, diagnostic tests and scans that are needed after you have received your treatment.

If you’d like to speak to us about health insurance call 0808 256 9436^ and we can talk you through some suitable options. Alternatively you can get a quote online now.

You can get a quote online now for our Comprehensive cover. If you’re interested in Treatment and Care give us a call on 0808 159 2103^

If you want to learn more about health insurance and how it works, take a look over our health insurance guide.

What isn't covered as part of my Bupa By You health insurance?

Bupa By You covers you for new conditions that occur once your cover has started - so you won't be able to use it for medical conditions that were apparent before you took out cover. There are also certain conditions that, whichever plan you choose, will not be covered, for example chronic long-standing conditions or cosmetic surgery. Details of the full list of exclusions can be found in the policy benefits and terms (PDF, 229KB) that will also be sent to you once you have taken your cover out.

What happens once I have health insurance?

You'll be covered from the moment you have agreed on the level of cover that's right for you and you've set up your monthly Direct Debit. Once your cover has started, you can cancel it within 21 days and as long as you haven't made any claims we'll refund all of your subscriptions for that month or year. You'll be sent all of the documentation that details what is and isn't covered and how you get in touch with us should you need to claim. You can also find this information in our policy benefits and terms (PDF, 229KB).

Each year before your renewal we'll send your renewal details including your new subscription price.

Can I add other members of my family to my healthcare policy?

For an additional cost you can add your partner and/or your children (including newborn or adopted children) as dependants at any time. Please call us so that we can update your policy on 0808 256 9436^.

Is my health insurance cover renewed every year?

We’ll write to you at least 28 days before your renewal date, and your annual cover will automatically be renewed unless you decide to end your cover. Each year at renewal you can change elements of your cover if your circumstances change.

What if I'm leaving my company scheme?

If you’ve been part of a company health insurance scheme but you’re leaving it now, you can still have Bupa health insurance.

Anything that was excluded on your company scheme would remain excluded on Bupa By You. When joining Bupa By You as a company leaver, you will be required to meet our of eligibility criteria.

Contact us

^ We may record or monitor our calls. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 12.30pm.

†Direct Access telephone services are available as long as the symptoms are covered under the policy. If your cover excludes conditions you had before your policy started, we’ll ask you to provide evidence from your GP that your symptoms are not pre-existing for a period of up to two years from policy start date (or five years in the case of mental health) before we can refer you to a consultant or therapist through the Direct Access service. Always call us first to check your eligibility.

‡Access to eligible breakthrough cancer drugs and treatments often before they are available on the NHS or approved by NICE as long as they are evidence-based. Applies to eligible cancer drugs and treatments covered by your policy. Bupa will not fund for genetic testing when used solely for the purpose of screening.

Bupa Anytime Helpline is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.